Watch Fishing with John

In 1991, filmmaker and musician John Lurie created a unique television series called "Fishing with John." The show, which was recently added to the Criterion Collection, follows Lurie and a rotating cast of celebrity friends as they go on fishing trips around the world.

Each episode of "Fishing with John" is set in a different location and features a different guest, including Jim Jarmusch, Tom Waits, Matt Dillon, Willem Dafoe, and Dennis Hopper. The episodes are part documentary and part surreal comedy, as Lurie and his guests navigate the challenges of fishing in unfamiliar waters and often end up in absurd situations.

One of the strengths of the show is Lurie's deadpan humor and his ability to keep a straight face even in the face of bizarre circumstances. The episodes are also beautifully shot and edited, with stunning footage of the natural environments where the fishing takes place.

In the first episode, Lurie and Jarmusch head to Montauk, New York, to try their luck at striped bass fishing. The two friends banter back and forth as they navigate the choppy waters, and Lurie deadpans lines like, "I can't believe how beautiful it is out here. It's like a postcard, only better."

The second episode takes place in the wilds of Thailand, where Lurie and Waits go after giant squid. The two men struggle to communicate with their Thai guide and end up getting lost in the jungle. Eventually, they stumble upon a village where they are treated to a surreal feast of exotic foods and a traditional Thai dance performance.

The third episode takes Lurie and Dillon to Jamaica, where they attempt to catch a blue marlin. Along the way, they get into a bar fight and end up stranded on a deserted island. The episode is full of beautiful shots of the Jamaican landscape and the colorful locals they meet along the way.

The fourth episode takes Lurie and Dafoe to Maine, where they attempt to catch cod. The two men struggle to keep warm in the frigid waters, and Dafoe ends up getting hypothermia. The episode ends with Lurie attempting to revive Dafoe by performing CPR.

The final episode features Lurie and Hopper in the Arctic Circle, where they attempt to catch Arctic char. Along the way, they encounter a group of Inuit hunters and come face to face with a polar bear. The episode is full of stunning shots of the Arctic landscape and the wildlife that inhabits it.

Overall, "Fishing with John" is a surreal and hilarious series that is unlike anything else on television. Lurie's deadpan humor, combined with the stunning visuals and the surreal situations that he and his guests find themselves in, make for a truly unique viewing experience. If you're a fan of offbeat humor or just looking for something completely different to watch, "Fishing with John" is definitely worth checking out.